Serval prototypes completed, exports eyed for running chassis

New prototypes of the French Army’s latest 4×4 Vehicule Blinde Multi-Role – Light (VBMR-L) armoured fighting vehicle (AFV), now named Serval, are to soon be delivered.

Following a contract award in February 2018, the first Serval prototype was completed, and additional prototype vehicles are to follow later this year for trials.

Following trials with prototype Serval 4×4 vehicles, the first tranche of 108 are to be delivered to the French Army in 2022, 154 in 2023, 112 in 2024, and 115 in 2025, Jean Vandel, director of business development at Texelis, which is supplying the complete running chassis for the vehicle, said at the 2019 IQPC International Armoured Vehicles 2019 conference in London.

A scale model of Serval fitted with a roof-mounted remote weapon station at the front, acoustic detection system, situational awareness system, counter-improvised explosive device equipment, and pintle-mounted machine gun. (Christopher F Foss)

These Servals are earmarked as part of the Scorpion programme and will replace part of the French Army’s fleet of currently deployed Arquus (previously Renault Trucks Defense) Vehicule de l’Avant Blinde (VAB) 4×4 armoured personnel carriers (APC) and variants.

Another 100 Servals are to be delivered in 2024 and a similar number in 2025 to replace other VABs that are not a part of the French Army Scorpion modernisation programme – the total French Army requirement is for about 2,000 Servals in various configurations.

The Serval 4×4 running chassis comprises the front-mounted powerpack consisting of a Cummins 8.9 litre diesel developing 375hp, cooling system, Allison automatic transmission, transfer box, complete driver’s dashboard, powered steering, fuel system, vehicle electrics, suspension, wheels, and run-flat tyres with a central tyre inflating system (CTIS).